Data Entry Scam Strikes: Sutherland Shire Residents Warned Not to Hand Over Their Lives

Rile Corbett | Crimes Reporter | Sutherland Shire Gazette

13 February 2025

In a digital twist of fate, a new scam targeting Sutherland Shire residents has left locals wondering if they should start locking up not just their doors, but their social security numbers as well. Dubbed the “Data Entry Job Scam,” it promises a cushy, work-from-home gig—only to turn into a one-way ticket for your personal details.

It all began when an all-too-convincing job ad popped up in local Facebook groups. The advertisement boasted, “Urgent Data Entry Vacancy – Earn $30 an hour from the comfort of your home!” But sharp-eyed residents soon noticed that the website link led to a page that looked more like a mid-2000s Geocities relic than a legitimate employment portal.

Local resident and self-appointed cyber sleuth, Karen “Firewall” Middleton from Cronulla, was among the first to sound the alarm. “I nearly clicked on that link before my mum reminded me that my personal info isn’t a free sample at the local takeaway,” she quipped. “Seriously, if I wanted to share every detail about my life, I’d have posted it on my Facebook timeline myself.”

Rumours are rife that the scammers are now peddling the stolen data on the dark web like expired discount coupons, while desperate job-seekers unwittingly hand over their bank details, addresses, and even their pet’s names. “I thought it was a legitimate offer until I got a call from a guy asking if I could verify my tax file number,” said one befuddled applicant.

Local IT experts advise residents to steer clear of any “too-good-to-be-true” job postings and to double-check links before entering any personal data. “If it looks like a genuine career opportunity but smells like your neighbour’s fish and chips bag, run,” advised one cyber security analyst.

For now, the Sutherland Shire Gazette urges all locals to remember: if someone offers you a data entry job that pays like a Hollywood star, your personal data is probably the prize—and not in a good way. Stay vigilant, and keep those digital doors locked!